Gleditsia Amorphoides as a Source of Saponins and Bioactive Compound for Pet Food

Gleditsia amorphoides

In recent years, new plant-based sources of saponins have been investigated to expand the functional benefits of these compounds, with Gleditsia amorphoides emerging as a promising alternative. This tree species, belonging to the Fabaceae family, is native to temperate and subtropical regions and has traditionally been used for timber and industrial purposes. Gleditsia amorphoides presents a high saponin content (approximately 22%, compared to 7–15% in Yucca schidigera) and a relevant profile of bioactive compounds, including galactomannans and polyphenols (Perduca et al., 2013; Lu et al., 2024).

Although studies are still limited, initial evidence—mainly from in vitro experiments—suggests that gleditsia extract can modulate the intestinal microbiota by promoting saccharolytic bacteria, reducing microorganisms associated with proteolytic fermentation, and increasing the production of metabolites with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential (Francis et al., 2002; Sparg et al., 2004; Sittikijyothin et al., 2005). To further investigate this potential, a study was conducted in adult dogs to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Gleditsia amorphoides and Yucca schidigera extracts on intestinal fermentation, fecal metabolites, and systemic biomarkers related to inflammation and antioxidant status.

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Gleditsia amorphoides
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Study on Gleditsia amorphoides in Dogs

Materials and Methods

The study was carried out at the canine nutrition laboratory (LENUCAN) at the Federal University of Parana (UFPR) in Brazil and was approved by the institution's Animal Ethics Committee (protocol no. 013/2024). Eighteen healthy adult beagle dogs (10 males and 8 females), approximately two years old and with an average body weight of 12.2 ± 1.33 kg, were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (six dogs per group): control (unsupplemented diet), diet supplemented with 200 g/ton of Yucca schidigera extract, and diet supplemented with 200 g/ton of Gleditsia amorphoides extract (Sapcor®, Bioaromas do Brasil)  Diets differed only in the inclusion of the additives. Dogs were fed experimental diets twice daily for 20 days.

At the end of the experimental period, fresh fecal samples were collected to evaluate fecal characteristics and metabolites associated with intestinal fermentation. Fasting blood samples were also collected to assess systemic physiological responses to dietary treatments. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's test when significant differences were identified. Non-parametric data were evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis test, considering statistical significance at p < 0.05.

Results
No adverse reactions to feeding—such as vomiting, diarrhea, or feed refusal—were observed during the experimental period, indicating good acceptance.

Intestinal Fermentation Metabolites

Dietary supplementation with Gleditsia and Yucca influenced several metabolites associated with intestinal fermentation (Table 1). Dogs fed diets containing Yucca schidigera or Gleditsia amorphoides showed lower fecal ammonia concentrations compared to the control group (P < 0.05), suggesting reduced proteolytic fermentation in the gut. However, only dogs supplemented with Gleditsia showed: more fecal concentrations of propionate, higher total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and lower concentrations of 4-methylvalerate compared to the Yucca group (P < 0.05).

Propionate is a characteristic metabolite of saccharolytic fermentation and has been associated with potential anti-inflammatory effects in the gastrointestinal system, including inhibition of the Toll-like receptor 4 accessory protein CD14. This results in reduced activation of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathways and decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Hoyles et al., 2018).
 

Table 1 – Mean fecal concentrations (dry matter basis) of ammonia, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) in dogs from Control, Gleditsia, and Yucca groups.
 

Note: SEM: Standard error of the mean. P: Probability.
^a,b Different letters indicate statistical difference according to the Tukey test (P < 0.05).
 

Additionally, fecal concentrations of histamine and spermidine were lower in the Gleditsia group compared to the control group (P < 0.05, Figure 1). These compounds are derived from microbial amino acid degradation and are associated with proteolytic fermentation, which may exert harmful effects on intestinal mucosa and liver function when present at high concentrations (Brito et al., 2010; Souza et al., 2025).

^a,b Different letters indicate statistical difference according to the Tukey test (P < 0.05).
Figure 1: Fecal concentrations (dry matter basis) of biogenic amines in dogs from Control, Gleditsia, and Yucca groups.

These effects may be related to the composition of Gleditsia extract, which combines triterpenoid saponins with galactomannans that may exert prebiotic activity (Lu et al., 2024). This combination may promote a shift in microbial fermentation patterns—from predominantly proteolytic to more saccharolytic pathways—as also suggested by in vitro studies using human fecal microbiota exposed to Gleditsia extracts (Wang et al., 2023). Furthermore, saponins may contribute to the reduction of proteolytic metabolites through different mechanisms, including inhibition of bacterial urease activity, direct binding to nitrogenous compounds, and modulation of the intestinal microbiota (Dos Reis et al., 2016; Zhang et al., 2023).

Systemic Biomarkers

Dogs receiving diets supplemented with Gleditsia amorphoides or Yucca schidigera showed: lower lipid peroxidation (LPO) and higher catalase (CAT) activity compared to the control group (P < 0.05, Figure 2), indicating improved antioxidant status. Additionally, dogs in the Gleditsia group showed lower alkaline phosphatase activity compared to the control group (Control: 45.10 U/L; Gleditsia: 33.30 U/L; P < 0.05). These systemic effects may be partially associated with reduced production and absorption of proteolytic metabolites in the intestine, which can trigger inflammatory and oxidative responses (Souza et al., 2025). Additional antioxidant effects may also be linked to polyphenolic compounds present in Gleditsia, such as quercetin derivatives, which have been shown to activate the Nrf2 oxidative stress response pathway in canine hepatocyte cultures (Lu et al., 2024).

^a,b Different letters indicate statistical difference according to the Tukey test (P < 0.05).
Figure 2: Lipid peroxidation (LPO, mmol/mL) and catalasa (CAT, mU/mL) in dogs from Control, Gleditsia, and Yucca groups.

Overall, these findings suggest that dietary supplementation with Gleditsia amorphoides may contribute to improving intestinal fermentation patterns and antioxidant status in dogs, indicating potential functional benefits for canine nutrition.

Conclusion

The study conducted at UFPR indicates that dietary supplementation with Gleditsia amorphoides beneficially modulates intestinal fermentation metabolites in dogs. These changes were accompanied by improvements in systemic antioxidant markers, including reduced lipid peroxidation and increased catalase activity. Overall, these findings suggest that botanical additives containing saponins and associated bioactive compounds may contribute to intestinal functionality and systemic health in dogs.

By Vanessa R. Olszewski, Danieli Z. Cypriano and Ananda P. Félix – BioAromas
Source: All Pet Food Magazine
 

References
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